Definition of tansy

pluraltansies

: a common Old World composite herb (Tanacetum vulgare) that is naturalized in North America and has bitter-tasting finely divided aromatic leaves and clustered yellow flower heads lacking ray flowers;
broadly: a plant of the same genus

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tansy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tansy

Middle English tansey, from Anglo-French tanesie, from Late Latin tanacita